August 25, 2023 • 14 mins
And it’s not just the yarn arts. Science shows that crafting hobbies in general can boost mood, reduce stress, increase self-esteem, and improve motor skills. Dr. Saltz tells why these pastimes are so good for mind and body.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
These are challenging times, but you don't have to navigate
them alone. Welcome to how Can I Help? I'm doctor
Gail Saltz. I'm a clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at
the New York Presbyterian Hospital, a psychoanalyst, and best selling author,
and I'm here every week to answer your most pressing questions,
(00:26):
hopefully with understanding, insight and advice in case you all
weren't a wear There was a notable increase in crafting
and do it yourself activities during the pandemic. People spending
more time at home and looking for ways to stay
(00:47):
engaged turned to crafting as a creative outlet and a
means to pass the time. Crafting and hobbies like knitting, sewing, woodworking,
and other artistic endeavors saw a huge surge in popularity.
Online platforms and social media played a big role in
(01:10):
facilitating the sharing of ideas, of patterns, of completed projects,
and even created a sense of community and inspiration amongst
people who started to think of themselves as crafters. Many
people who picked up crafting during the pandemic have even
discovered a newfound passion and continued with it even as
(01:33):
the world gradually returned to a sense of normalcy. However,
the level of resurgence varied depending on factors like that
individual's interest, their lifestyle changes, and their situation at work.
But today I'm answering a question from someone about their
(01:54):
hobby and what if any benefits they may be getting
from it. Crafting has been associated with various mental health benefits,
and engaging and creative activities does have positive effects on
overall well being. Some of the mental health benefits of
crafting include stress reduction. Because crafting can act as a
(02:18):
form of mindfulness, promoting relaxation and reducing stress, The focus
required during crafting activities can help people redirect their thoughts
away from sources of anxiety and tension. It can lead
to improved mood. Engaging in creative activities stimulates the release
(02:40):
of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
This can lead to an improved mood and a sense
of accomplishment when completing crafting projects. It can also lead
to enhanced cognitive function because crafting often involves problem solving,
(03:04):
critical thinking, and attention to detail, and these mental challenges
can help keep the mind sharp and even reduce the
risk of cognitive decline later in life. Crafting can increase
self esteem. Completing a project can boost your self esteem
and your self confidence, especially when you take pride in
(03:27):
its creation and receive positive feedback from other people about it.
And social connection. Grafting can be a social activity, fostering
connections with others who share similar interests. Some people engage
in craft workshops, joining crafting communities, participating in crafting classes,
(03:50):
which provides a sense of belonging and support. Crafting provides distraction,
which is a coping mechanism, a healthy distraction from negative
thoughts are difficult to motions, which makes it a coping
mechanism to deal with stress, with grief, or other challenging emotions.
(04:11):
It gives people a sense of purpose. Having a creative
outlet and working on craft projects can give a person
the feeling of fulfillment, which contributes to their overall life satisfaction.
It leads to, for some people, relaxation and what's called
a flow state when deeply engaged in a crafting activity.
(04:35):
Some people experience this state of flow where they lose
track of time and become so fully absorbed in the
process that it tunes everything else out and that essentially
is meditative and leads to a feeling of innercom And
of course, crafting is an expressive outlet because you express
(04:59):
yourself creative fleet, which might allow you to give voice
to your various emotions and thoughts and ideas in a
nonverbal but artistic way. The mental health benefits of crafting
can vary from person to person. Some people find immense
joy and relief through crafting, while others might not resonate
(05:21):
with it as much. But overall, crafting is a valuable
tool for promoting mental well being, and it's often recommended
as a compliment to traditional therapeutic approaches. So with that,
right after the break, we'll get to my listener's question.
(05:50):
Welcome back. Let's get to my listener's question and see
how can I help, dear doctor Saltz. I recently started
learning to crochet, and after the beginning phase of frustrations
related to learning something new, I have found myself really
enjoying it and feeling pretty satisfied with whatever I am
(06:12):
working on or making. But I'm also finding that I
feel weird feelings like who am I I mean? Isn't
crocheting for grandmothers, am I old and grandmotherly if I
like this and I feel guilty and I'm not somehow
doing something more productive or professional with my time, such
(06:33):
that I'm kind of hiding what I'm doing and don't
really want to tell other people about it, even though
those around me when they do see like it. I'm
wondering if I could get really good and make actual
clothing for us, for my family, or even clothing that
I could sell, if I feel better about it, because
(06:54):
then I would have real purpose and would be actually
providing something we need, and maybe feel less guilty about
wanting to do it so much. What is your take
on feeling like I have to crechet in secrecy In
today's dominating culture of we have to be achieving, producing
(07:16):
at all times to feel our worth. It can be
hard to remember how valuable and important personal contentment and
satisfaction is to our sense of self and our overall
happiness and well being. Sadly, it is all too common
to feel the need for some gold star, something specific
(07:38):
of monetary value to justify anything we do with our time.
This turns out to not be accurate when it comes
to psychological well being. Humans benefit from creative outlets from
spending some time doing something I find gives them a
sense of expression, a nonverbal way to express us inner emotion,
(08:01):
and a way to make something out of something else.
Our production line mentality isn't the healthiest, and this is
likely what's causing you guilt, as well as the need
to figure out a way to force this craft to
be monetized in some way. Some people, of course, have
(08:22):
found a way to make their careers and sources of
income a business of their craft, and hey, doing what
you love certainly has some advantages. But taking something that
you find relaxing, enjoyable, satisfying, and partly because it's a
break from your work, and forcing it to become pressured
(08:44):
and work in and of itself is likely to make
it no longer so enjoyable for you. You may lose
the pleasure you get from it, specifically because it's not
your work. The other common societal messaging you're negatively responding
to is agism that older people and what they do
(09:06):
is yucky in some way, too close to death and
dying and not something to be emulated. This is making
you uncomfortable doing what your grandma did, which is too bad.
Because making stuff is indeed generative. You are making something,
(09:27):
creating something, and the joy of producing new things is
a lifelong pleasure that actually smacks of youthfulness. It may
be partly why in your grandma's time she enjoyed it too,
but doing something an older person did doesn't make you
old mentally or physically. Rather, in some ways, it ties
(09:52):
you to a great history of a craft that was
created long ago and at times in history used for
valuable purposes, which is rather cool and could add to
the pleasure of doing it. There are many mental health
benefits to your enjoying crocheting as a hobby, feeling less stressed,
(10:14):
boosting your mood, helping your concentration overall. And should you
decide to share that you crochet with others, you might
be surprised to find out how many people do, and
then you could partake of crocheting as a social activity.
There are literally crochet groups, a wonderful form of parallel
(10:37):
play that creates friendship bonds, which can enhance your pleasure
in crocheting. I hope you feel good about having stumbled
onto something personally therapeutic and let it indeed be that way.
Have that be the prize rather than a business or
clothing for your family. I hope that was helpful. Crafting
(11:04):
can have several positive effects on physical health in addition
to mental health. While it might not provide the same
level of physical activity as sports or exercise, engaging in
crafting activities can still offer important health benefits, so fine
motor skills. Many crafting activities involve intricate hand movements which
(11:26):
can help improve fine motor skills and hand eye coordination.
Examples of activities like knitting, crocheting, or jewelry making which
require precise movements that strengthen and refine these skills. As
I mentioned earlier, stress reduction because it's relaxing and meditative,
(11:47):
which reduces stress and anxiety. And when you reduce stress
and anxiety, you help your overall physical health. Your cognitive
function because it's stimulats cognitive function, which keeps the brain engaged.
You're planning your problem solving, your following instructions, and this
(12:08):
is actually exercise for your brain, which contributes to mental agility.
Even pain management because engaging in creative activities can act
as a form of distraction, which can help in managing
chronic pain or discomfort. By focusing your brain away from
the pain. As I alluded to, social interaction. You know,
(12:32):
loneliness is a real public health epidemic right now, and
finding ways to socially interact with others over anything can
definitely diminish your feelings of isolation or loneliness. It can
give you a sense of accomplishment, a sense of better
self esteem to see the actual tangible result of creative effort.
(12:56):
And it can help with hand strength because some crafting activities,
like woodworking or pottery, require the use of tools that
really improve hand strength and dexterity. Crafting is not just
for old people. It is a creative and enjoyable activity
that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. While
(13:19):
it's true that some older people may find crafting appealing
as a leisure activity or a way to stay mentally engaged,
it is not limited to any age group. It has
gained a lot of popularity among people of all generations
because of all the benefits that I've mentioned that it offers.
Many young people also engage in crafting as a hobby
(13:40):
or a means of self expression, and with the rise
of social media and online platforms, crafting communities are thriving
and they are attracting enthusiasts of all ages who share
their projects and ideas and techniques. And in recent years,
crafting has become more diverse and inclusive, encompassing a wide
(14:03):
range of activities like I mentioned knitting, painting, pottery, woodworking,
jewelry making, and people from all walks of life find
joy and crafting and it remains a versatile an accessible
outlet for creativity and relaxation. Do you have a problem
(14:24):
I can help with? If so, email me at how
Can I Help? At senecawomen dot com. All centers remain
anonymous and listen every Friday to how can I Help
with me? Doctor Gail's Saltz
These are challenging times, but you don't have to navigate
them alone. Welcome to how Can I Help? I'm doctor
Gail Saltz. I'm a clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at
the New York Presbyterian Hospital, a psychoanalyst, and best selling author,
and I'm here every week to answer your most pressing questions,
(00:26):
hopefully with understanding, insight and advice in case you all
weren't a wear There was a notable increase in crafting
and do it yourself activities during the pandemic. People spending
more time at home and looking for ways to stay
(00:47):
engaged turned to crafting as a creative outlet and a
means to pass the time. Crafting and hobbies like knitting, sewing, woodworking,
and other artistic endeavors saw a huge surge in popularity.
Online platforms and social media played a big role in
(01:10):
facilitating the sharing of ideas, of patterns, of completed projects,
and even created a sense of community and inspiration amongst
people who started to think of themselves as crafters. Many
people who picked up crafting during the pandemic have even
discovered a newfound passion and continued with it even as
(01:33):
the world gradually returned to a sense of normalcy. However,
the level of resurgence varied depending on factors like that
individual's interest, their lifestyle changes, and their situation at work.
But today I'm answering a question from someone about their
(01:54):
hobby and what if any benefits they may be getting
from it. Crafting has been associated with various mental health benefits,
and engaging and creative activities does have positive effects on
overall well being. Some of the mental health benefits of
crafting include stress reduction. Because crafting can act as a
(02:18):
form of mindfulness, promoting relaxation and reducing stress, The focus
required during crafting activities can help people redirect their thoughts
away from sources of anxiety and tension. It can lead
to improved mood. Engaging in creative activities stimulates the release
(02:40):
of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
This can lead to an improved mood and a sense
of accomplishment when completing crafting projects. It can also lead
to enhanced cognitive function because crafting often involves problem solving,
(03:04):
critical thinking, and attention to detail, and these mental challenges
can help keep the mind sharp and even reduce the
risk of cognitive decline later in life. Crafting can increase
self esteem. Completing a project can boost your self esteem
and your self confidence, especially when you take pride in
(03:27):
its creation and receive positive feedback from other people about it.
And social connection. Grafting can be a social activity, fostering
connections with others who share similar interests. Some people engage
in craft workshops, joining crafting communities, participating in crafting classes,
(03:50):
which provides a sense of belonging and support. Crafting provides distraction,
which is a coping mechanism, a healthy distraction from negative
thoughts are difficult to motions, which makes it a coping
mechanism to deal with stress, with grief, or other challenging emotions.
(04:11):
It gives people a sense of purpose. Having a creative
outlet and working on craft projects can give a person
the feeling of fulfillment, which contributes to their overall life satisfaction.
It leads to, for some people, relaxation and what's called
a flow state when deeply engaged in a crafting activity.
(04:35):
Some people experience this state of flow where they lose
track of time and become so fully absorbed in the
process that it tunes everything else out and that essentially
is meditative and leads to a feeling of innercom And
of course, crafting is an expressive outlet because you express
(04:59):
yourself creative fleet, which might allow you to give voice
to your various emotions and thoughts and ideas in a
nonverbal but artistic way. The mental health benefits of crafting
can vary from person to person. Some people find immense
joy and relief through crafting, while others might not resonate
(05:21):
with it as much. But overall, crafting is a valuable
tool for promoting mental well being, and it's often recommended
as a compliment to traditional therapeutic approaches. So with that,
right after the break, we'll get to my listener's question.
(05:50):
Welcome back. Let's get to my listener's question and see
how can I help, dear doctor Saltz. I recently started
learning to crochet, and after the beginning phase of frustrations
related to learning something new, I have found myself really
enjoying it and feeling pretty satisfied with whatever I am
(06:12):
working on or making. But I'm also finding that I
feel weird feelings like who am I I mean? Isn't
crocheting for grandmothers, am I old and grandmotherly if I
like this and I feel guilty and I'm not somehow
doing something more productive or professional with my time, such
(06:33):
that I'm kind of hiding what I'm doing and don't
really want to tell other people about it, even though
those around me when they do see like it. I'm
wondering if I could get really good and make actual
clothing for us, for my family, or even clothing that
I could sell, if I feel better about it, because
(06:54):
then I would have real purpose and would be actually
providing something we need, and maybe feel less guilty about
wanting to do it so much. What is your take
on feeling like I have to crechet in secrecy In
today's dominating culture of we have to be achieving, producing
(07:16):
at all times to feel our worth. It can be
hard to remember how valuable and important personal contentment and
satisfaction is to our sense of self and our overall
happiness and well being. Sadly, it is all too common
to feel the need for some gold star, something specific
(07:38):
of monetary value to justify anything we do with our time.
This turns out to not be accurate when it comes
to psychological well being. Humans benefit from creative outlets from
spending some time doing something I find gives them a
sense of expression, a nonverbal way to express us inner emotion,
(08:01):
and a way to make something out of something else.
Our production line mentality isn't the healthiest, and this is
likely what's causing you guilt, as well as the need
to figure out a way to force this craft to
be monetized in some way. Some people, of course, have
(08:22):
found a way to make their careers and sources of
income a business of their craft, and hey, doing what
you love certainly has some advantages. But taking something that
you find relaxing, enjoyable, satisfying, and partly because it's a
break from your work, and forcing it to become pressured
(08:44):
and work in and of itself is likely to make
it no longer so enjoyable for you. You may lose
the pleasure you get from it, specifically because it's not
your work. The other common societal messaging you're negatively responding
to is agism that older people and what they do
(09:06):
is yucky in some way, too close to death and
dying and not something to be emulated. This is making
you uncomfortable doing what your grandma did, which is too bad.
Because making stuff is indeed generative. You are making something,
(09:27):
creating something, and the joy of producing new things is
a lifelong pleasure that actually smacks of youthfulness. It may
be partly why in your grandma's time she enjoyed it too,
but doing something an older person did doesn't make you
old mentally or physically. Rather, in some ways, it ties
(09:52):
you to a great history of a craft that was
created long ago and at times in history used for
valuable purposes, which is rather cool and could add to
the pleasure of doing it. There are many mental health
benefits to your enjoying crocheting as a hobby, feeling less stressed,
(10:14):
boosting your mood, helping your concentration overall. And should you
decide to share that you crochet with others, you might
be surprised to find out how many people do, and
then you could partake of crocheting as a social activity.
There are literally crochet groups, a wonderful form of parallel
(10:37):
play that creates friendship bonds, which can enhance your pleasure
in crocheting. I hope you feel good about having stumbled
onto something personally therapeutic and let it indeed be that way.
Have that be the prize rather than a business or
clothing for your family. I hope that was helpful. Crafting
(11:04):
can have several positive effects on physical health in addition
to mental health. While it might not provide the same
level of physical activity as sports or exercise, engaging in
crafting activities can still offer important health benefits, so fine
motor skills. Many crafting activities involve intricate hand movements which
(11:26):
can help improve fine motor skills and hand eye coordination.
Examples of activities like knitting, crocheting, or jewelry making which
require precise movements that strengthen and refine these skills. As
I mentioned earlier, stress reduction because it's relaxing and meditative,
(11:47):
which reduces stress and anxiety. And when you reduce stress
and anxiety, you help your overall physical health. Your cognitive
function because it's stimulats cognitive function, which keeps the brain engaged.
You're planning your problem solving, your following instructions, and this
(12:08):
is actually exercise for your brain, which contributes to mental agility.
Even pain management because engaging in creative activities can act
as a form of distraction, which can help in managing
chronic pain or discomfort. By focusing your brain away from
the pain. As I alluded to, social interaction. You know,
(12:32):
loneliness is a real public health epidemic right now, and
finding ways to socially interact with others over anything can
definitely diminish your feelings of isolation or loneliness. It can
give you a sense of accomplishment, a sense of better
self esteem to see the actual tangible result of creative effort.
(12:56):
And it can help with hand strength because some crafting activities,
like woodworking or pottery, require the use of tools that
really improve hand strength and dexterity. Crafting is not just
for old people. It is a creative and enjoyable activity
that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. While
(13:19):
it's true that some older people may find crafting appealing
as a leisure activity or a way to stay mentally engaged,
it is not limited to any age group. It has
gained a lot of popularity among people of all generations
because of all the benefits that I've mentioned that it offers.
Many young people also engage in crafting as a hobby
(13:40):
or a means of self expression, and with the rise
of social media and online platforms, crafting communities are thriving
and they are attracting enthusiasts of all ages who share
their projects and ideas and techniques. And in recent years,
crafting has become more diverse and inclusive, encompassing a wide
(14:03):
range of activities like I mentioned knitting, painting, pottery, woodworking,
jewelry making, and people from all walks of life find
joy and crafting and it remains a versatile an accessible
outlet for creativity and relaxation. Do you have a problem
(14:24):
I can help with? If so, email me at how
Can I Help? At senecawomen dot com. All centers remain
anonymous and listen every Friday to how can I Help
with me? Doctor Gail's Saltz
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com